Maternity leave … where to go!

[Erlouise]

Hi ladies
sorry probably not posting on the right topic but couldn’t find anything more relevant…
currently on mat leave with nearly 6 week old Baby, please give me ideas as to what I can do on maternity leave to get me out the house… here in UK it’s freezing and never know if it’s going to rain or snow at the minute. I’ve been trying to get out for walks a couple times each week, and I was walking down to the high street to get a coffee and walking back again but to be honest in this weather it’s just so tedious, same for the park near me. All good intentions when pregnant to walk around the park with a hot drink for some fresh air but quite frankly it’s just far too fresh for me at the minute…
at the minute I seem to live in my local Sainsbury’s as they have a cafe and baby changing facilities, or I live in my local shopping centre as they have the feeding rooms (but sadly this always leads to me spending money!)
I’m really lost for what else I can do.. I don’t have many friends so meeting people isn’t much of an option unfortunately!

would appreciate any ideas! Thank u

Baby groups?

Do you have a cinema near you? I used to go to baby friendly showings. Easiest before they are mobile.

Also try and join some local baby groups if possible. Can take a few until you find one you like.

Lots of libraries have free baby and toddler sessions like Rhyme time x

Museum/galleries/libraries
Swimming
Visit friends
Garden centres
Shopping centres (Christmas shopping)
Train to another city
Take the baby in to meet work colleagues
Baby groups
Hang out at home
Baby screenings at cinema
Visit an elderly relative
Take a packed sandwich and a flask of tea to the seaside
Park run (there's a baby one)

We used to go to John Lewis for the day and treat it like walking round a museum. We'd wander round every department rarely buying anything and have lunch in the cafe (generally using vouchers from my John Lewis card).

Big garden centres are another good one.

There were also a couple of women from my antenatal class who I particularly got on well with and we'd meet up weekly either out and about or at one of our houses and just chill out together.

Another for baby groups. And ask mums from group if they want to go for coffee after. Gradually by doing this I make a few lovely new friends. It took a bit of time as I think we were all in a fog of sleep deprivation that first year.

Also sign up to any local mum's groups on social media or accounts the suggest things to do locally with kids. I'm in Oxfordshire and on Facebook there is an account called Little Oxplorers and has all sort of great stuff to do and much of it is free.